Well said, of course. When I moved to Texas 45 years ago, Dems were in play. Now, they're just seat-fillers. Before I left to return to my home, I saw signs of things taking a bad turn. The only other issue I'd add to the Republican glue is racism. They coalesce around whites-only neighborhoods, schools, states, and country ---and will back criminals to preserve those goals.
One reason for our Texas fiasco is so that Mississippi can say, "at least we're not Texas." The purpose of our current governance, however, is simple: The more power they can gather, the more they can take for themselves. The R's believe in giving us the great spirit of Texan independence, i.e., Texas government isn't here for us. It merely allows us to exist on our own. There aren't enough curse words for me to express my feelings about this.
When I first moved to Texas, a little less than 40 years ago, it was a place of political possibilities and strong people -
Barbara Jordon, Ann Richards, Lloyd Doggett in his heyday. It's been so sad to see this transformation based on such a sustained power and money grab.
I'm sad I left but also, I felt I could not stay. My daughter would be at risk should she get pregnant, my trans nephews would be in danger if they came to visit. My husband and I are children of immigrants and we were devastated and are devastated by the vicious attacks and intentional mistreatment of people who came here to make a better life.
I hope st some point enough people will come to their senses to throw the bastards out and begin to rebuild the place of possibility again.
“Another bad idea whose time has come in the Texas Legislature is upon us. It's time to revive my old proposal that Texas be made into a national laboratory for bad government. Having a bad idea in your state? Come to Texas and see how it works out in practice.” - Molly Ivins, 1997
I’ve become cynical and have little hope for flipping anything but my middle finger at Trumpian crooks who are gaining political office because their criminality is the primary requirement for winning. And the rape of America goes on and on. The mafia and the Nazi’s finally made it to the White House!
I have never been to Texas. I will never get there. I really like your writing. I can't pay you for it, I hope you don't mind if I keep reading. This kind of article is what I thought Substack was going to be. Cheers!
Institutional loss in Texas=arrogance, haughty, and condescending. Perfect description of Republicans between Jim Bob Moore and DeeceeX. Progressive democrats, take note. Winning strategy is doing none of these things.
What a masterful summary of the state of Texas politics!
"Texas Republicans have spent thirty-four years telling a significant portion of their electorate that the real threat to their lives is not the closing of the rural hospital, but the teaching of evolution. Not the uninsured child, but the transgender athlete. Not the corporation drilling on their land, but the immigrant crossing the river. They have replaced governance with theater, and a significant number of Texans have decided they prefer the show and keep buying tickets with their votes."
Again, another very excellent piece Jim I forwarded this to the Terri Eco campaign. They need to be reading this and of course using the salient points you raise happy Sunday.
I lived in Houston for 28 years before moving to Denver in 11/1997. After my first month or so in Colorado, I thought "gee, I put up with Texas all those years?"
I've seen all this up close and personal, Hugh. A lot of my TV correspondent years were spent reporting from the Permian Basin on the energy industry. I love the Trans Pecos region of Texas but it and the basin and the region around it are being destroyed by irresponsible energy companies and a state regulatory agency, the Railroad Commission, that is underfunded and does nothing to enforce environmental regulations. It's ugly, and sad. The work of this photographer captures is quite nicely.
I see North Carolina as very similar to Texas - and my love for the state similar to yours. This is home.
My answer to: "If you don't like it here, why don't you leave?"
"I do like it here. Why are you willing to settle for mediocrity?"
Well said, of course. When I moved to Texas 45 years ago, Dems were in play. Now, they're just seat-fillers. Before I left to return to my home, I saw signs of things taking a bad turn. The only other issue I'd add to the Republican glue is racism. They coalesce around whites-only neighborhoods, schools, states, and country ---and will back criminals to preserve those goals.
One reason for our Texas fiasco is so that Mississippi can say, "at least we're not Texas." The purpose of our current governance, however, is simple: The more power they can gather, the more they can take for themselves. The R's believe in giving us the great spirit of Texan independence, i.e., Texas government isn't here for us. It merely allows us to exist on our own. There aren't enough curse words for me to express my feelings about this.
When I first moved to Texas, a little less than 40 years ago, it was a place of political possibilities and strong people -
Barbara Jordon, Ann Richards, Lloyd Doggett in his heyday. It's been so sad to see this transformation based on such a sustained power and money grab.
I'm sad I left but also, I felt I could not stay. My daughter would be at risk should she get pregnant, my trans nephews would be in danger if they came to visit. My husband and I are children of immigrants and we were devastated and are devastated by the vicious attacks and intentional mistreatment of people who came here to make a better life.
I hope st some point enough people will come to their senses to throw the bastards out and begin to rebuild the place of possibility again.
“Another bad idea whose time has come in the Texas Legislature is upon us. It's time to revive my old proposal that Texas be made into a national laboratory for bad government. Having a bad idea in your state? Come to Texas and see how it works out in practice.” - Molly Ivins, 1997
I’ve become cynical and have little hope for flipping anything but my middle finger at Trumpian crooks who are gaining political office because their criminality is the primary requirement for winning. And the rape of America goes on and on. The mafia and the Nazi’s finally made it to the White House!
I have never been to Texas. I will never get there. I really like your writing. I can't pay you for it, I hope you don't mind if I keep reading. This kind of article is what I thought Substack was going to be. Cheers!
Institutional loss in Texas=arrogance, haughty, and condescending. Perfect description of Republicans between Jim Bob Moore and DeeceeX. Progressive democrats, take note. Winning strategy is doing none of these things.
What a masterful summary of the state of Texas politics!
"Texas Republicans have spent thirty-four years telling a significant portion of their electorate that the real threat to their lives is not the closing of the rural hospital, but the teaching of evolution. Not the uninsured child, but the transgender athlete. Not the corporation drilling on their land, but the immigrant crossing the river. They have replaced governance with theater, and a significant number of Texans have decided they prefer the show and keep buying tickets with their votes."
Again, another very excellent piece Jim I forwarded this to the Terri Eco campaign. They need to be reading this and of course using the salient points you raise happy Sunday.
I lived in Houston for 28 years before moving to Denver in 11/1997. After my first month or so in Colorado, I thought "gee, I put up with Texas all those years?"
Having worked as a reporter in Texas for a number of years, I can attest that Texans in general have an arrogance problem.
Jim- I friend just sent me this exhibit in Paris by a French photo-journalist in Texas:
https://www.carolineruffault.com/portfolio/theskyisbiggerintexas/
Pretty devastating
- Hugh
Wow. Thanks for sharing, Hugh.
Correction: they found the exhibit in the small village of Dinan in Bretagne, not in Paris. How odd
…and wonderful
I've seen all this up close and personal, Hugh. A lot of my TV correspondent years were spent reporting from the Permian Basin on the energy industry. I love the Trans Pecos region of Texas but it and the basin and the region around it are being destroyed by irresponsible energy companies and a state regulatory agency, the Railroad Commission, that is underfunded and does nothing to enforce environmental regulations. It's ugly, and sad. The work of this photographer captures is quite nicely.
"What's the Matter With Kansas?"